Our Staff

Millard Fuller
(1935 - 2009)
Founder

Although we lost our leader and mentor in February 2009, his spirit still guides us in every decision we make at the Fuller Center for Housing. Millard left an incredible legacy. Under his leadership of Habitat for Humanity Intl. for 29 years and then at The Fuller Center for four years, more than a million people moved out of poverty and into simple decent homes. Read more about Millard here. [1]

A veteran of Habitat leadership, David served in the U.S. and in Mexico for 10 years. He is the former director of Habitat Education Ministries and spent seven years as president of Habitat for Humanity Colorado. A co-founder of The Fuller Center, David oversaw the formation and growth of projects and partnerships as the Vice President for Programs, traveling extensively around the world. In February 2009, the board elected him to serve as The Fuller Center’s president after Millard Fuller's death.

Chris Johnson enjoyed a 22-year career as a multi-award-winning journalist before coming to The Fuller Center in June 2011. He continues to write a popular column for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and is the author of two books, “I Heard It Through the Kudzu Vine” and “The Best of Chris Johnson.” In addition to writing stories and blogs, Chris oversees The Fuller Center's website, social media, public relations, media relations, photography, print publications and video departments.

Kirk founded Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity in Pendleton Co., W. Va., and was its executive director for 11 years, leading it to be recognized as the most productive rural Habitat affiliate. Kirk develops, organizes and nurtures newly forming covenant partners in cities in the U.S. and Canada, where concerned groups have come together and asked to join the Fuller Center. He also assists covenant partners with construction, administration, organization and training.

Ryan helped lead the Habitat chapter at Notre Dame and the Inward Bound program in Cleveland, Ohio before joining The Fuller Center. Affectionately titled the "Director of Everything Else," he started as a volunteer to work hand-in-hand with his hero Millard Fuller and to create the Bicycle Adventure[8] and Student Builders[9]. Today he is on staff and works closely with David Snell developing our international programs[10].

Dianne relates to individual donors in the development department. She's married to Linda and Millard's son, Chris, and for over 20 years she's volunteered at many Fuller Center and Habitat projects. She served on the FCH Board of Directors for the past two years. Dianne has a social work degree from Mars Hill College and received a master's of Christian Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has experience in various Christian Social Ministry roles and as an Elementary School teacher. Dianne and Chris have two sons, Ben and Joshua.

Brenda is the link between covenant partners and the Americus-based staff. She makes sure partners have the right communication tools and monitors their progress. Brenda gathers and sends news, photos and project updates from the field, enabling the rest of the communications team to keep our publications and Web site current.

Sheilla is helping the Fuller Center with a variety of projects. A former business owner of her own insurance agency and wife of Fuller Center president David Snell, she is providing executive support to the president's office, communications and programs.

Cathy began working with Millard and Linda at Habitat in 1999. She is now the office manager of The Fuller Center and arranges travel and special events for the Fullers’ speaking engagements. Cathy is also the human resources coordinator for our U.S.-based staff.

Erica processes donations to The Fuller Center and payments for Global Builder trips as well as the reports and receipts that accompany them. She maintains our database of partners and supporters and analyzes data for our fund-raising and communications efforts.

Sharon is the assistant to President David Snell. Sharon worked with Millard Fuller for over a decade both at Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing. Millard called Sharon his human encyclopedia, database and back-up memory. She has continued in her role — now helping Mr. Snell who took over as President of the Fuller Center after Millard’s death in February 2009.

Stacey organizes and processes registrations for all Fuller Center events. In addition, she handles lots of paperwork and communications for the Global Builders[19] Program and other Fuller Center programs.

Gloria is the friendly voice and smiling face of The Fuller Center headquarters. She was a family social worker at the Georgia Dept. of Human Resources for 25 years and has been the pastor at Word of Faith Ministry since 1999.

Melissa earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Akron in Ohio and first got acquainted with The Fuller Center while riding from Michigan to Florida on the 2009 Bicycle Adventure. After finishing school, she worked for two years in the tire engineering industry, honing her project management skills. Now, she organizes and oversees the Student Builders[9] program and the Fuller Center Bike Adventure[8].

Hailey is a 2007 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she received a degree in Marketing. She is currently working toward her master's at Grace Seminary in Intercultural Studies. Before coming to The Fuller Center, Hailey served two years in AmeriCorps with Habitat for Humanity of Indiana. Now, as a volunteer with The Fuller Center, she will be working to develop and grow the Global Builders program.

Frank Purvis
Senior Advisor for the Haiti Housing Initiative

Frank is contributing and sharing from his vast experience in international building--specifically in Haiti--to help The Fuller Center develop and execute its initiative there. He's been a home-builder based out of Americus, Ga. for over 20 years.

Ralph has worked as a corporate controller for several for-profit corporations and various non-profits since the late 1960s. He has also worked for a Christian community, People of Praise, since 1985. He works with Kathyie on general accounting, maintaining the accuracy of information and generating monthly financial reports.